GREENWAVE PRIDE

Members of the Class of 1964 pose next to their senior group photo. From left are Bill Lawry, Lynn Biggs, Lonne Sheldon, Maxine Shande, William Atkinson, Bill Helton, Ron Shane, Marianne Lybbert, B. Ann Lattin and Don Carlson.

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The thought of Fallon having its first community wide reunion send conjures up forgotten memories for Susan (Saxton) McCormick, one of the organizers of this weekend’s event.

From self-guided tours of Lattin Farms and Churchill Vineyards to the Old High School and a Sunday breakfast at the Elks Lodge, McCormick looks back to a time when life was a little more simple but more meaningful.

Having breakfast at the Elks, though, triggered McCormick’s recollections of past year and classes.

“A lot of us also had class reunions, weddings and funeral reception gatherings there,” she said.

Fallon’s first community wide reunion coincides with Nevada’s sesquicentennial and is one of the marquee events organized locally by the Mayors NV150 Commission, a group of interested citizens and business leaders appointed by Mayor Ken Tedford Jr. to plan year-long activities to celebrate the Silver State’s birthday.

The community wide reunion invites Fallon graduates, teachers, support personnel and friends of the Greenwave to attend and reminisce about their school days.

“We’re excited,” McCormick said. “We’ve had a lot of response, a lot of volunteers. We’re ready for the people to register in the park.”

Registration for the community wide reunion takes place Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Oats Park.

McCormick, who graduated in 1965, would like to see her class plan its reunion next year at this time. In fact, McCormick would love to see a community wide reunion held each year to coincide with the city’s free concert in the park.

“I’m hoping we can make this into an annual thing. There’s not too much expense for people to attend,” she pointed out.

Edna Price Dianda, whose class of 1959 is planning a 55-year reunion, worked with McCormick on the mayor’s sesquicentennial commission. Being involved in the process when it first originated earlier this year has been rewarding for Dianda.

“For me it’s exciting, and I have really enjoyed putting together events and it’s been fun meting new acquaintances,” she said.

During past years, Churchill County High School graduates returned home either during the Labor Day weekend or for homecoming. Having a community wide reunion during the summer, though, attracts more people, Dianda added.

“It will be great to see people gathering together,” she said. “If we continue with this, we could keep the reunion as an annual or biannual event. At this point, we’re looking at making this an annual reunion and expand it more. We need community participation and cooperation and good people on the committee.”

Dianda, like others who have worked on the committee, said spreading the word about the reunion has been one of the most challenging tasks. By using social media, radio and newspaper and word of mouth, Dianda said they received good response.

Dianda is looking forward to tonight’s dinner and Saturday’s activities to reconnect with friends, many of whom she hasn’t seen in years.

“On Saturday night, I hope the people have a good time (attending the concert) and fining some of their fronds from high school days,” she said.

The main spotlight is on Maxine Shane’s Class of 1964 as it celebrates its 50th reunion during Nevada’s sesquicentennial. Ironically, when the class committee began working on the reunion and setting a date, the members selected mid-August without knowing about the community wide reunion.

“We took advantage of it,” she said. “We have had a good response of people coming.”

Much has changed in 50 years since Shane graduated, and because of that, she said tours have been scheduled at specific venues that were not in existence in 1964. Graduates and their significant others began arriving Thursday with a visit at Lattin Farms. Shane said the class has arranged for a tour at Enel’s Stillwater geothermal plant and Churchill Vineyard.